Hose connector having means for operating electrical contacts

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to an automatic-type air hose connector for use on tandem-coupled vehicles. This hose connector has a mating head which is provided with a removable hose nipple, that has a hose coupling formed on one end, and a removable fluidpressure-operated spring-released mechanism for effecting movement of a plurality of electrical contact elements into and out of circuit-closing relationship with corresponding contact elements carried by another automatic type air hose connector coupled thereto in response to the passage of fluid under pressure therethrough subsequent to the coupling of two alike automatic-type air hose connectors and thereafter the release of fluid under pressure therefrom upon the uncoupling of these air hose connectors.

United States Patent [191 Reno 111] 3,812,444 May 21,1974

} HOSE CONNECTOR HAVING MEANS FOR OPERATING ELECTRICAL CONTACTS {75] Inventor: William H. Reno, Monroeville, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company, Wilm'erding, Pa,

22 Filed: Apr. 17, 1972 21 Appl.No.:244,392

[52] US. Cl 339/15, 339/35, 339/48,

213/76, 213/13 {51] Int. Cl H0lr 3/04 [58] Field of Search 339/15, 16 R, 16 C, 35,

339/48, 117 P, 118 R, 118 RR; 174/47; ZOO/61.6, 82; 213/76, 1.3

[56] References Cited 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,506,139 4/1970 Cope et a1. 213/l.3 1,422,241 7/1922 Tomlinson 213/].3 3,442,398 5/1969 Bartolomeo 213/76 1,045,489 11/1912 Woernley 1,349,405 8/1920 Brown 1,290,066 l/l9l9 Brown 339/16 R X 10/1966 Gobrecht ..339/48 2/1972 Reed 339/48 Primary Examiner-Bobby R. Gay

Assistant Examiner-Robert A. Hafer Attorney, Agent, or Firm-W. F. Poore; R. W. Mclntire, Jr.

[ 5 7] ABSTRACT This invention relates to an automatic-type air hose connector for use on tandem-coupled vehicles. This 'hose connector has a mating head which is provided with a removable hose nipple, that has a hose coupling formed on one end, and a removable fluid-pressureoperated springreleased mechanism for effecting movement of a plurality of electrical contact elements into and out of circuit-closing relationship with corresponding contact elements carried by another automatic type air hose connector coupled thereto in response to the passage of fluid under pressure therethrough subsequent to the coupling of two alike automatic-type air hose connectors and thereafter the release of fluid under pressure therefrom 'upon the uncoupling of these air hose connectors.

11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures HOSE CONNECTOR HAVING MEANS FOR OPERATING ELECTRICAL CONTACTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In US. Pat. No. 3,731,953, issued May 8, 1973 to Fred Temple, there is shown an automatic-type air hose connector that is provided with a removable hose nipple that has a hose coupling formed on one end so that, upon removal of the nipple and, subsequent to coupling of a vehicle provided with this automatic-type air hose connector to a vehicle without such a connector, the hose coupling formed on the end of the nipple may be manually coupled to a manuahtype hose coupling on the end of the hose at the adjacent end of this vehicle without the automatic-type air hose connector to thereby form a continuous fluid pressure conduit extending from one vehicle to the other.

While certain types of vehicles are coupled together,

it is necessary to provide for one or more continuous electrical conduits extending from one vehicle to the other, in addition to the continuous fluid pressure conduit provided by two automatic-type air hose connectors such as is shown and described in the abovementioned United States patent to Fred Temple.

Accordingly, it is the general purpose of this invention to provide for use on tandem-coupled vehicles an automatic-type air hose connector that has a mating head having an easily removable hose nipple, at one end of which is formed a hose coupling, and also a removable multiple-contact unit for establishing a multiple of continuous electrical circuits that extend from one vehicle to another when two such automatic-type air hose connectors at the adjacent ends of two vehicles provided with these air hose connectors are coupled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, the mating head of an automatic-type air hose connector is provided with both a removable hose nipple having a hose coupling at one end, and a removable multiple-contact unit that is automatically operable upon the supply of fluid under pressure through a pair of coupled automatictype air hose connectors into circuit-closing relationship with a like multiple-contact unit carried by the other hose connector, or out of circuit-closing relationship-therewith when fluid under pressure is released therefrom upon the subsequent uncoupling of this pair of hose connectors. The contact elements of the multiple-contact unit are carried within a spring-biased piston that is supplied with fluid under pressure by a valve device carried by one automatic-type air hose connector and operated to its supply position by a guard arm of the other hose connector upon movement of the hose connector carried by either vehicle relative to the connector carried by the other vehicle to the position in which automatic coupling of the two hose connec- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. I and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing certain structural details of the multiplecontact unit not made apparent in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a special hose nipple used in the hose end of a brakepipe angle cock to provide for the supply of fluid under pressure from the train brake pipe to the valve device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. I of the drawings shows an automatic-type air hose connector 1 having a removable multiple-contact unit 2 and a guard arm 3, shown in phantom, of a second automatic-type air hose connector in the position they occupy while the adjacent ends of two vehicles provided with these air hose connectors are coupled, it being understood that these hose connectors are secured to the shank (not shown) of the vehicle couplers at the adjacent ends of the two coupled vehicles.

The automatic-type air hose connector 1 comprises a mating head 4 which is in the form of a U-shaped channel member that at one end has formed integral therewith a pair of spaced-apart wing-like guide members 5 and 6. The opposite end of the U-shaped channel member is closed by a web 7 through which extends a bore 8 in which is received one end of a support pin (not shown). The other end of this support pin has formedintegral therewith a ball (not shown) which is embedded in a resilient cushion member (not shown) that is carried in the lower end of a hanger (not shown). The construction of this cushion member and hanger, the upper end of which'is secured to a car coupler head, may be the same as that shown and describedin US. Pat. No. 3,476,407, issued Nov. 4, I969 to Fred Temple et al, andassigned to the assignee of the present application.

The opposite sides of the U-shaped channel member comprising the mating head 4 have formed integral therewith a pair of oppositely-arranged and inwardlyfacing bosses 9 and 10. Each of these bosses is provided with a bore 11 that is coaxial with the bore in the other boss.

As shown in FIG. l, the bottom of the U-shaped channel constituting the mating head 4 is provided with an opening 12, the left-hand end of which is rectangular and the right-hand end of which issubstantially circular.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, formed integral with each of the opposite sides of the U-shaped channel member and extending outward therefom at an angle of therewith is a flange 13 each of which is provided with a smooth bore 14. One purpose of these bores 14 is to receive a pair of bolts 15 by which a flange (not shown) formed at one end of a third wing-like guide member or guard arm, that corresponds to the guard arm 3 of the other automatic-type air hose connector, is secured to the lower side of the flanges 13, it being understood that a nut is screw-threaded onto the threaded end of each of these bolts to force the flange on the end of this guard arm against the flanges 13 when these bolts are tightened.

As shown in FIG. 1, integral with each flange l3 and extending outward from one side thereof is an L shaped stiffening rib 16, one purpose of which is to impart rigidly to a mating surface (not shown) formed on the lower side of the two flanges 13. One end of each L-shaped stiffening rib 16 is integral with one side of the U-shaped channel member and the other end,

which is denoted by the reference numeral 17, serves as a stop for the other end of the corresponding stop on the other mating head when the two mating heads of the two automatic-type air hose connectors are brought together during a car coupling operation.

As shown in FIG. 1, a removable hose nipple 18 is disposed between the parallel spaced-apart sides of the U-shaped channel member constituting the mating head 4. The structure and use of this removable hose nipple 18, and the means by which it is removably secured to the mating head 4 is identical to the removable hose nipple 20 shown and described in the abovementioned US. Pat. No. 3,731,953 to Fred Temple,

and need not be repeated here.

It may be further assumed that the construction and operation of the automatic-type air hose connector 1 is the same as that of the automatic-type air hose connector shown in the above-mentioned US Pat. No. 3,731,953, except as hereinafter explained.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings, the multicontact unit 2 comprises a hollow cylinder 19 that has formed integral therewith. a flange 20 that may be secured to the upper side of either of the flanges 13 of the U-shaped channel member by one of the hereinbeforementioned bolts 15., it being understood that this flange 20 is provided with a bore having the same diameter as the bore 14. As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the multi-contact unit 2' is shown secured to the lower flange 13. However, when the automatic-type air hose connector 1 is used on vehicles that operate in climates having a high degree of snowfall and extremely low temperatures, it may be desirable to secure the multicontact unit 2 to the upper flange 13, as viewed in FIG. 1, since in this position it is further from the road bed. Consequently, the hereinafter-described movable contact elements carried within the hollow cylinder 19 are less likely to become covered with snow and other contaminants as the result of the suction or vacuum created underneath a vehicle traveling at a highspeed.

desired to uncouple the two vehicles' As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the hollow cylinder 19 has formedtherein, as, for example, by a boring operation, a smooth bore 21 into which is press-fitted a sleeve 22. The left-hand end of this sleeve 22 has an outside and inside diameter that is substantially less than the outside and inside diameter of the right-hand end thereof. Slidably mounted in that part of the sleeve 22 having the smaller inside diameter is a hollow cylindrical member 23, the length of which is greater than the length of the hollow cylinder 19. Formed integral with the hollow cylindrical member 23 intermediate the ends thereof is a collar or piston 24 the diameter of which is such as to provide for slidably mounting this piston in that portion of the sleeve 22 having the larger inside diameter. This piston 24 is provided with a peripheral annular groove in which is disposed an O-ring seal 25 that forms a seal with the wall surface of that portion of the sleeve 22 having the larger inside diameter. In order to provide a seal between the wall surface of that portion of the sleeve 22 having the smaller in side diameter and the cylindrical member 23 slidably mounted therein, this cylindrical member 23 is provided with a peripheral annular groove in which is disposed an O-ring seal 26 which, in cooperation with the O-ring seal 25, forms a chamber 27 into which opens one end of a passageway 28 that extends through the sleeve 22 and the flange 20.

The cylindrical member 23 is provided with a second peripheral annular groove that is disposed on the lefthand side of and in spaced-apart relation to the groove that carries the O-ring 26. Disposed in this second peripheral annular groove is a snap ring 29 against which an annular spring seat 30 is biased by a spring 31 that is disposed about that portion of the sleeve 22 having the smaller outside diameter and interposed between this spring seat 30 and a shoulder 32 at the right-hand end, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3, of this portion of the sleeve 22.

The cylindrical member 23 and the piston 24 integral therewith may be, for example, a plastic moulding having a square opening 33 extending from'end to end thereof. Press-fitted into the left-hand end of the square opening 33 is a weatherproof sealing element 34 that may be constructed of, for example, rubber. This sealing element serves to prevent the entrance of water, snow, ice and other contaminants into the interior of the square opening 33 via the left-hand end thereof, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3.

Disposed about the cylindrical member 23 adjacent 7 its left-hand end and retained in the bore 21 by a snap ring 35 that is inserted in an annular groove provided therefor in the wall surface of this bore 21 is a stop member 36 that limits movement of the snap ring 29, spring seat 30 and cylindrical member 23 by the spring 31 in the direction of the left hand. The interior of the bore 21 between the shoulder 32 and the right-hand side of the stop member 36 is constantly open to atmosphere via a passageway 36a inthe flange 20.

Disposed in the right-hand end of the square opening 33 are four identical contact elements, three of which appear in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings and are denoted by the reference numerals 37, 38 and 39, it being understood that the fourth contact element (not shown) is disposed above the contact element 39 and in side-by-side relation to the contact element 37. The respective one end of three train wires 40, 41 and and 42 is received in one end of the respective contact elements 37, 38, and 39, it being understood that one end of a fourth wire (not shown) is likewise received in one end of the fourth contact element. The one end of each of the four wires is secured to the one end of its respective contact element by, for example, soldering. The four train wires are encased in an insulation covering 43 that extends through a bore 44 in the sealing element'34. These four insulation covered wires extend to the opposite end of the vehicle where their respective other ends are secured, as by soldering, to form contact elements of a multiple-contact unit identical to the multiple-contact unit 2 Each contact element and the end of the wire secured thereto are encased in a hollow casing, square in cross section and formed of, for example, plastic. Two

adjacent sides of this plastic casing, which sides form a right angle, are provided with identical tongues, and the other two adjacent sides, which also form a right angle, are provided with identical grooves. Consequently, any two contact elements can be assembled together in side-by-side relation by inserting one of the tongues on the casing of one contact element into one of the grooves on the casing of the other contact eleof which is substantially the same as that of the semi- .circular groove in the rectangular plastic casing of the contact elements 37 and 38, it being understood that a coaxial bore extends from each end of each semicircular groove through the wall of the cylindrical member 23 to the peripheral surface thereof, the diameter of these coaxial bores being twice the radius of the semi-circular grooves. Midway between the two bores of each pair of the two pairs of parallel-spaced apart' bores thus formed in the cylindrical member 23, this member is provided with another bore the axis of which is parallel to the axesof these two parallel spaced-apart bores and equidistant from these axes. v

The three contact elements 37, 38 and 39 and the fourth contact element not shown in the drawings are assembled togetherbythe tongues and grooves on the adjacent sides of their casings which are square in cross section, as hereinbefore stated. It will be understood, of course, that as many contact elements as desired can thus be assembled together to form a module.

The four-contactmodule described above and shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings is placed in the position shown in the right-hand end of the square opening those not defective. The respective train wire is then severed from each defective contact element and thereafter soldered to a new contact element. The four contact elements are then reconnected by means of their tongues and grooves to form the module which is replaced in the square opening 33 and secured to the cylindrical member 23 by the three rods 45, 46 and 47 in the-manner hereinbefore explained.

The casing of each contact element has encased therein a spring-like metal element or finger 48. One end of each finger 48 has a train wire soldered thereto and the other end extends slightly outside the casing, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. This other end of the fing'er 48 has sliding frictional contact with a corresponding finger of a contact element carried by a multiple-contact unit of another automatic-type air hose connector when two automatic-type air hose connectors are moved into the coupled position. Thus, when two automatic-type air hose connectors are moved into the coupled position, a continuous electrical circuit is established from each train wire on one vehicle to the corre-' sponding train wire on the adjacent vehicle.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the right-hand end of the cylindrical member 23 is provided with an annular groove in which is disposed a sealing ring 49 that, while two automatic-type air hose connectors occupy the coupled position, forms a seal with a like sealing ring carried in the adjacent end of the cylindrical memberof the other air hose connector to'protect the fingers 48 of the contactelements from water, snow, ice and other contaminants.

In order to move the cylindrical member23 and the four contact elements carried thereby to the coupled position shown in FIGS. I .and'3 against the yielding resistance of the spring 31, fluid under pressure is supplied to'the chamber 27 by operation of a valve device 50 which will now be described in detail.

The valve device 50 is shown in section in FIG. 2 and comprises a casing 51 that has a boss 52 provided with 33 in the hollow cylindrical member 23 and then secured to this member 23 by three rods 45, 46 and 47. The rods and 47-extend through the bores formed by the semi-circular grooves provided in'the two parallel sides of the square opening 33 and the sides of the ings. Likewise, the-opposite ends of this rod 46 are anchored in a pair of coaxial spaced-apart bores that extend through the wall of the cylindrical member 23, as shown in FIG. 3.

If one or more of .the contact elements comprising themodule become defective so that replacement by one or more new contact elements is necessary, the rods 45, '46 and 47 may be easily removed by the use of a hammer and a small drift, after which the module may be withdrawn from the square opening 33 in the cylindrical member 23. Thereafter, by means of the tongue and grooveconnections between the casings of I the several contact elementscomprising the module,

the defective contact-elements may be disengaged from external screw threads. The guide member 6 of the mating head 4 is provided with a bore 53 having internal screw threads to enable the valve device .50 to be secured to this guide member 6, thebore 53 being so located, as shown in FIG. I, that the valve device.50 carried by one automatic-type air hose connector is operated by the guide arm 3 of another automatic-type air hose connector upon movement of either airhose connector into the coupled position other air hose connector. i

As shown in FIG. 2, the casing 51 is provided with a stepped bottomed bore 54 that is coaxial with-the boss with respect to the 52 and with four passageways 55, 56, 57 and 58 that at to the opposite endof which is secured one end of a flexible hose 6]. As shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, the otherend of the hose 61 is secured by a hose clamp 62 to a hollow boss 63 that is integral with a hose nipple 64, the right-hand end'of which is provided with external screw threads by which this hose nipple is attached to the hose end of an angle cock 65,' only a part of r 7 shown) of the brake pipe angle cock 65 (FIG. 4) is manually moved to its open position, subsequent to movement of either one of a pair of automatic-type air hose connectors into the coupled position with respect to the other, fluid under pressure flows from the train brake pipe to the bottom bore 54 (FIG. 2) via the open angle cock 65, hose nipple 64, hollow boss 63, hose 61, hose fitting 60 and passageway 56.

As shown in FIG. 2, the screw-threaded end of a tubing connector 68 is screw threaded into the screwthreaded end of the passageway 55. One end of a piece of tubing 69, such as for example, Nylon tubing, is secured to the other end of the tubing connector 68 and the opposite end of this tubing 69 is secured to one end of a second tubing connector 70 (FIG. 1), the screwthreaded end of which has screw-threaded engagement with internal screw threads provided in the other end of the hereinbefore-mentioned passageway 28 in the flange 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, the passageway 55 is open to the passageway 56 through two sets of spaced-apart radial ports 71 and 72 that open from the periphery of a bushing'73 press-fitted into the lower end of the stepped bottomed bore 54 into the interior of this bushing. A hollow plunger 74 is slidably mounted in the bushing 73 and a second bushing 75 that is disposed in the upper end of the stepped bottomed bore 54 and retained therein in abutting relationship with the upper end of the bushing 73 by a snap ring 76 that is inserted in a groove provided therefor in the wall surface of the stepped bottom bore 54. Upon movement of either one of a pair of automatic-type air hose connectors into the coupled position with respect to the other, the guard arm 3 of one air hose connector is effective to move the hollow plunger 74 of the valve device 50 carried by the other air hose connector downward against the yielding resistance of a spring 77 interposed between a spring seat 78 integral with the interior wall of the bushing 73 and a collar 79 on the plunger 74 untl the lower end of this hollow plunger 74 contacts a rubber-covered flat disc valve 80 that is normally biased into contact with an annular valve seat 81 that is formed on the lower side of the spring seat 78 by a spring 82 that is interposed between the valve 80 and a spring seat. 83 that is in the form of a snap ring carried in a groove provided therefor in the bushing'73. Further downward OPERATION While the automatic-type air hose connector 1 is not coupled to a like automatic-type air hose connector,

the guard arm 3, shown in phantom in FIGS. 1 and 2,

of the like automatic-type air hose connector is out of contact with the upper end of the plunger 74. Consequently, the spring 77 (FIG. 2) is effective to bias the collar 79 on this plunger 74 against a shoulder 84 formed on the bushing 75. Therefore, while the hollow plunger 74 occupies the position in which the collar 79 abuts the shoulder 84, the spring 82 is effective to seat the valve 80 on its seat 81, and the chamber 27 (FIG. 1) in the multiple-contact unit 2 is open to atmosphere via passageway 28, tubing connector 70, tubing 69, tubing connector 68 (FIG. 2), passageway 55, ports 71 in bushing 73 and the hollow plunger 74.

In the absence of fluid under pressure in the chamber 27 (FIG. 1 the spring 31 is effective to bias the piston 24 against a shoulder 85 on the sleeve 22 at the lefthand end of the chamber 27. While the piston 24 is biased against the shoulder 85, the fingers 48 of the four contact elements carried in the right-hand end of the hollow cylindrical member 23 are disposed entirely within the sleeve 22. Therefore, the sleeve 22 serves to protect the fingers 48 somewhat from rain, snow, ice and other contaminants.

Now assume that two vehicles, each of which is provided at each end thereof with an automatic-type air hose connector 1 constituting the present invention,

are to be coupled.

With the exception of the operation of the multiplecontact units 2, which is hereinafter described in detail, the manner of operation of the two automatic-type air hose connectors 1 at the adjacent ends of the two vehicles being coupled is identical to that described for the automatic-type air hose connectors desclosed in the hereinbefore-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,73l,953 to Fred Temple. Consequently, if it be assumed that one of the two vehicles is stationary and the other vehicle is moved toward the stationary vehicle to be coupled thereto, the matingheads 4 of the automatic-type air hose connectors l on the two vehicles will be automatically coupled one to the other in the manner described in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,731,953.

As the moving vehicle approaches the stationary vehicle, the guard arm 3 of the automatic-type air hose connector on each vehicle is effective to strike the plunger 74 of the valve device 50 on the other vehicle and move it downward to the position shown in FIG. 2. Since the operation of each valve device 50 is identical to that of the other, a description of one will suffice for both.

As the plunger 74 is moved downward by the guard arm 3, the lower end thereof will first contact the upper side of the valve to close communication between the chamber 27 (FIG. 1) and atmosphere, and thereafter unseat the valve 80 from its seat 81.

Subsequent to coupling the two vehicles, a workman will manually open the angle cocks 65 (FIG. 4), if closed, at the adjacent ends of the two coupled vehicles. It will be understood that the brake pipe on one of the vehicles is charged with fluid under pressure. Consequently, when the angle cock 65 on this vehicle is opened, fluid under pressure will flow to the chamber 27 on this vehicle via the hose nipple 64, hose 61, hose fitting 60, passageway 56, radial ports 72 in bushing 73, past now open valve 80, the interior of bushing 73, radial ports 71 in this bushing, passageway 55, tubing connector 68, tubing 69, tubing connector 70, and passageway 28. Fluid under pressure will also flow to the chamber 27 on the other vehicle via the hose nipple 64, hose 66, the removable hose nipple 18 of each of the now coupled automatic-type air hose connectors l, the hose 66, hose nipple 64, hose 61 and hose nipple 60 to the passageway 56 in the valve device 50 on the other vehicle, ports 72, thence past the now open valve 80 of this valve device 50, and through ports 71, passageway 55, tubing connector 68, tubing 69, tubing connector 70 and passageway 28.

Upon the thus simultaneous supply of fluid under pressure to the chamber 27 in the multi-contact unit 2 secured to the automatic-type air hose connector 1 on each vehicle, these multi-contact units 2 operate simultaneously in a manner now to be described.

The supply of fluid under pressure to the chamber 27 increases the pressure in this chamber and on the lefthand side, as viewed in FIG. 1, of the piston 24. As the pressure of the fluid acting on the left-hand side of the piston 24 shown in FIG. 1 increases, it is effective to move this piston 24, hollow cylindrical member 23, the four contact elements carried in the right-hand end of the square opening 33 in this cylindrical member 23 and the four train wires encased in the insulated covering 43 in the direction of the right hand against the yielding resistance of the spring 31 to the position shown in FIG. 1. It will be understood that the four contact elements carried in the cylindrical member 23 of the multi-contact unit 2 on the other vehicle are simultaneously moving in the direction of the left hand. Accordingly, it is apparent that the finger 48 of each contact element carried in the end of the cylindrical member 23 of the multi-contaet unit 2 on one vehicle is quickly moved into circuit-closing relationship with the finger 48 of the corresponding contact element carried in the cylindrical member 23 of the multi-contact type air hose connectors I operate in the same manner as described for the automatic-type air hose connectors disclosed in the hereinbefore-mentioned United States Patent No. 3,731,953.

Upon movement of the automatic-type air hose connector 1 on the moving vehicle away from the like antomatic-type air hose connector on the stationaryvehicle, the continuous fluid pressure conduit extending from one vehicle to the other via the hose nipples 18 is ruptured. Consequently, the fluid under pressure in the chamber 27 of the multi-contact unit 2 on each vehicle is vented to atmosphere via the corresponding passageway 28, tubing connector 70, tubing 69, tubing connector 68 (FIG. 2), passageway 55, ports 71 in bushing 73 and the hollow plunger 74 which now occupies the position in which the collar 79 thereon is biased against the shoulder 84 by the spring 77 since the guard arm 3 has been moved out of contact with the upper end of this plunger 74.

As fluid under pressure is released'from the chamber 27 in each multi-contact unit 2, the corresponding spring 31 is rendered effective to quickly return the hollow cylindrical member 23 and the four contact elements carried in the end thereof from the position shown in FIG. 1 to a position in which piston 24 abuts the shoulder 85. As each contact element in one multi' contact unit is thus moved in the direction away from the corresponding contact element in the other multicontact unit, the finger 48 of each respective contact element of each multi-contact unit is quickly moved out of circuit-closing relationship with the finger 48 of the corresponding contact element of the other multicontact unit to open the circuits between the train wires on the two vehicles.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the fingers 48 of the contact elements of each multi-contact unit 2 are quickly moved into and out of circuit-closing relationship with the fingers 48 of the corresponding contact elements of the other multi-contact unit accordingly as fluid under pressure is supplied to and released from the chambers 27 in the two units.

Having now described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. For each of a pair of vehicles, each of which has extending from end to end thereof a fluid pressure conduit and a plurality of electrical conduits and at each end has an automatic vehicle coupler head and an air hose connected to said fluid pressure conduit, an automatic-type air hose connector operable upon coupling of said automatic vehicle coupler heads to connect said air hoses at the adjacent ends of said vehicles, wherein, for each of said automatic-type air hose connectors operable to establish a continuous fluid pressure conduit between said vehicles, the improvement comprises:

a. a multiple-contact unit comprising:

i. a plurality of contact elements connected respec tively to the plurality of electrical conduits on one of the pair of vehicles and movable into and out of circuit-closing relationship with a corresponding plurality of contact elements connected respectively to the plurality of electrical conduits on the other of the vehicles,

ii. biasing means for moving said plurality of contact elements in a circuit-opening direction, and

iii. fluid motor means operable by fluid under pressure for moving said plurality of contact elements against the yielding resistance of said biasing means into circuit-closing relationship with the corresponding plurality of contact elements con nected respectively to the plurality of electrical conduits on the other of the pair of vehicles, and

b. valve means carried by the automatic-type air hose connector for each of the pair of vehicles and operable by the automatic-type air hose connector carried by the other of the pair of vehicles, upon coupling of the coupler heads at the adjacent ends of the pair of vehicles, to effect the supply of fluid under pressure from the fluid pressure conduit on either of the vehicles to said fluid motor means.

2. An automatic-type air hose connector, as recited in claim 1, further characterized in that said fluid motor means of said multiple-contact unit comprises an abutment means to which said contact elements of said multiple-contact unit are removably secured for movement therewith.

3. An automatic-type air hose connector, as recited in claim 1, further characterized in that said fluid motor in claim 1, further characterized in that said valve means carried by the automatic-type air hose connector for each of the pair of vehicles is removable therefrom.

means of said multiple-contact unit comprises an abutment means subject to fluid under pressure, said abutment means being an annular member disposed about and secured to a hollow member in which said plurality of contact elements are disposed and removably secured thereto.

4. An automatic-type air hose connector, as recited in claim 1, further characterized in that said fluid motor means of said multiple-contact unit comprises:

a. a hollow cylinder having integral therewith a flange by which said cylinder may be removably secured to the automatic-type air hose connector, and

b. an abutment carrying said plurality of contactelements movable in a circuit-closing direction with respect to said hollow'cylinder when subject to fluid under pressure and movable in a circuitopening direction by said biasing means upon the release of fluid under pressure from said abutment.

5. An automatic-type air hose connector, as recited in claim 1, further characterized in that said fluid motor means of said multiple-contact unit comprises:

a. a hollow cylinder having integral therewith a flange by which said cylinder may be removably secured to the automatic-type air hose connector,

b. a sleeve having a pair of unequal inside and outside diameters, the larger of said outside diameters being such as to provide for a press-fit between said sleeve and said hollow cylinder, v

c. a hollow cylindrical member carrying in'one end thereof said plurality of contact elements the length of which member is substantially greater than the length of said hollow cylinder and the outside diameter of which is such as to provide for a sliding fit within the smaller inside diameter of said sleeve, said hollow cylindrical member having secured to its periphery a collar the diameter of which is such as to provide for a sliding tit within the larger inside diameter of said sleeve, and

d. a pair of spaced-apart sealing elements, one of 40 which is carried by said hollow cylindrical member and forms a slidable seal with the smaller inside diameter of said sleeve and the other of which is carried by said collar and forms a slidable seat with the larger inside diameter of said sleeve, said sealing elements cooperating with said sleeve to form a fluid pressurechamber to which fluid under pressure is supplied upon operation of said valve means carried on said automatic-type air hose connector for one vehicle by the automatic-type air hose connector for the other of the pair of vehicles upon coupling of the coupler heads at the adjacent ends of the pairof vehicles.

6. An automatic-type air hose connector, as recited 7. An automatic-type air hose connector, as recited in the absence of the supply of fluid under pressure to said chamber, biasing said collar against the junction of the smaller and larger inside diameters of said sleeve whereby said one end of said hollow cylindrical memher is disposed entirely within said sleeve to protect said plurality of contact elements carried in said one end from exposure to contaminants.

8. An automatic-type air hose connector, as recited in claim 5, further characterized in that the construction of one end of each of said plurality of contact elements carried in the one end of the hollow cylindrical member is such that it protrudes from said one end of the hollow cylindrical member for effecting a circuit closing relationship with a correspondingly constructed contact element carried in the one end of the hollow cylindrical member of the multiple-contact unit forthe automatic-type air hose connector for the other vehicle prior to movement of the one end of one cylindrical member into abutting relationship with the one end of the other cylindrical member.

9. An automatic-type air hose connector, as recited in claim 5, further characterized in that said hollow cylindrical member is provided in said one end thereof with a sealing element that forms a seal with a sealing element carried in the one end of a corresponding hollow cylindrical element while two automatic-type air hose connectors at the adjacent ends of the pair of vehicles connect said air hoses and establish said continuous electrical conduits between said vehicles to protect said plurality of contact elements carried in the one end of each of said hollow cylindrical members from exposure to contaminants.

10. An automatic-type air hose connector, as recited in claim 5, further characterized in that the construction of one end of each of said plurality of contact elements carried in the one end of the hollow cylindrical member is such that it protrudes from said one end and said one end is provided with a sealing element whereby each of said plurality of contact elements of the multiple-contact unit for the automatic-type air hose connector at one end of one vehicle is moved into circuit-closing relationship with the corresponding contact element of the other multiple-contact unit at the adjacent end of the other vehicle prior to movement of the sealing elements carried in the one end of the hollow cylindrical members into sealing relation one with the other to protect said plurality of contact elements carried in the one end of each of said hollow cylindrical members from exposure to contaminants.

11. A multiple-contact unit comprising:

a. a plurality of contact elements one end of each of which is connected to an electrical conduit and the other end of which is movable into and out of circuit-closing relationship with the other end of a corresponding contact element of another multiple-contact unit to the one end of which corresponding contact element is connected an electrical conduit,

b. biasing means for moving said plurality of contact elements in a circuit-opening direction, and

c. fluid motor means operable by fluid under pressure for moving said plurality of contact elements against the yielding resistance of said .biasing means into circuit-closing relationship with the cone spending contact elements of another multiplecontact unit.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION 5 PATENT NO. 3,812,444

DATED May 21, 1974 INVENTOR(S) William H. Reno It is certified that error appears in the ab0ve-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below;

Claim 1, line 3, after "duit" insert at each end of which may be a manually operable angle cock for controlling the flow of fluid under pressure therethrough; erase "and", second occurrence, and insert each vehicle-; line 4,

erase "has" and insert thereof having; line 5, erase "said fluid pressure conduit" and insert the corresponding angle cock-; line 37, after "means" insert subsequent to operation of an angle cock in the fluid pressure supply conduit to provide for flow of fluid under pressure through said supply conduit-- Engncd and Scaled thls twenty-sixth D3) Of August 1975 [SEAL] Q Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON c. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer (ummixsr'mzer ufPatents and Trademarks 

1. For each of a pair of vehicles, each of which has extending from end to end thereof a fluid pressure conduit and a plurality of electrical conduits and at each end has an automatic vehicle coupler head and an air hose connected to said fluid pressure conduit, an automatic-type air hose connector operable upon coupling of said automatic vehicle coupler heads to connect said air hoses at the adjacent ends of said vehicles, wherein, for each of said automatic-type air hose connectors operable to establish a continuous fluid pressure conduit between said vehicles, the improvement comprises: a. a multiple-contact unit comprising: i. a plurality of contact elements connected respectively to the plurality of electrical conduits on one of the pair of vehicles and movable into and out of circuit-closing relationship with a corresponding plurality of contact elements connected respectively to the plurality of electrical conduits on the other of the vehicles, ii. biasing means for moving said plurality of contact elements in a circuit-opening direction, and iii. fluid motor means operable by fluid under pressure for moving said plurality of contact elements against the yielding resistance of said biasing means into circuit-closing relationship with the corresponding plurality of contact elements connected respectively to the plurality of electrical conduits on the other of the pair of vehicles, and b. valve means carried by the automatic-type air hose connector for each of the pair of vehicles and operable by the automatictype air hose connector carried by the other of the pair of vehicles, upon coupling of the coupler heads at the adjacent ends of the pair of vehicles, to effect the supply of fluid under pressure from the fluid pressure conduit on either of the vehicles to said fluid motor means.
 2. An automatic-type air hose connector, as recited in claim 1, further characterized in that said fluid motor means of said multiple-contact unit comprises an abutment means to which said contact elements of said multiple-contact unit are removably secured for movement therewith.
 3. An automatic-type air hose connector, as recited in claim 1, further characterized in that said fluid motor means of said multiple-contact unit comprises an abutment means subject to fluid under pressure, sAid abutment means being an annular member disposed about and secured to a hollow member in which said plurality of contact elements are disposed and removably secured thereto.
 4. An automatic-type air hose connector, as recited in claim 1, further characterized in that said fluid motor means of said multiple-contact unit comprises: a. a hollow cylinder having integral therewith a flange by which said cylinder may be removably secured to the automatic-type air hose connector, and b. an abutment carrying said plurality of contact elements movable in a circuit-closing direction with respect to said hollow cylinder when subject to fluid under pressure and movable in a circuit-opening direction by said biasing means upon the release of fluid under pressure from said abutment.
 5. An automatic-type air hose connector, as recited in claim 1, further characterized in that said fluid motor means of said multiple-contact unit comprises: a. a hollow cylinder having integral therewith a flange by which said cylinder may be removably secured to the automatic-type air hose connector, b. a sleeve having a pair of unequal inside and outside diameters, the larger of said outside diameters being such as to provide for a press-fit between said sleeve and said hollow cylinder, c. a hollow cylindrical member carrying in one end thereof said plurality of contact elements the length of which member is substantially greater than the length of said hollow cylinder and the outside diameter of which is such as to provide for a sliding fit within the smaller inside diameter of said sleeve, said hollow cylindrical member having secured to its periphery a collar the diameter of which is such as to provide for a sliding fit within the larger inside diameter of said sleeve, and d. a pair of spaced-apart sealing elements, one of which is carried by said hollow cylindrical member and forms a slidable seal with the smaller inside diameter of said sleeve and the other of which is carried by said collar and forms a slidable seal with the larger inside diameter of said sleeve, said sealing elements cooperating with said sleeve to form a fluid pressure chamber to which fluid under pressure is supplied upon operation of said valve means carried on said automatic-type air hose connector for one vehicle by the automatic-type air hose connector for the other of the pair of vehicles upon coupling of the coupler heads at the adjacent ends of the pair of vehicles.
 6. An automatic-type air hose connector, as recited in claim 1, further characterized in that said valve means carried by the automatic-type air hose connector for each of the pair of vehicles is removable therefrom.
 7. An automatic-type air hose connector, as recited in claim 5, further characterized in that the portion of said hollow cylindrical member that is always disposed within said hollow cylinder and outside said sleeve carries an annular spring seat, and said biasing means comprises a spring disposed about that portion of said sleeve having the smaller outside diameter and interposed between said spring seat and the junction of the smaller and larger outside diameters of said sleeve for, in the absence of the supply of fluid under pressure to said chamber, biasing said collar against the junction of the smaller and larger inside diameters of said sleeve whereby said one end of said hollow cylindrical member is disposed entirely within said sleeve to protect said plurality of contact elements carried in said one end from exposure to contaminants.
 8. An automatic-type air hose connector, as recited in claim 5, further characterized in that the construction of one end of each of said plurality of contact elements carried in the one end of the hollow cylindrical member is such that it protrudes from said one end of the hollow cylindrical member for effecting a circuit-closing relationship with a correspondingly constructed contact element carried in the one end of the hollow cylindrical member of the multiple-Contact unit for the automatic-type air hose connector for the other vehicle prior to movement of the one end of one cylindrical member into abutting relationship with the one end of the other cylindrical member.
 9. An automatic-type air hose connector, as recited in claim 5, further characterized in that said hollow cylindrical member is provided in said one end thereof with a sealing element that forms a seal with a sealing element carried in the one end of a corresponding hollow cylindrical element while two automatic-type air hose connectors at the adjacent ends of the pair of vehicles connect said air hoses and establish said continuous electrical conduits between said vehicles to protect said plurality of contact elements carried in the one end of each of said hollow cylindrical members from exposure to contaminants.
 10. An automatic-type air hose connector, as recited in claim 5, further characterized in that the construction of one end of each of said plurality of contact elements carried in the one end of the hollow cylindrical member is such that it protrudes from said one end and said one end is provided with a sealing element whereby each of said plurality of contact elements of the multiple-contact unit for the automatic-type air hose connector at one end of one vehicle is moved into circuit-closing relationship with the corresponding contact element of the other multiple-contact unit at the adjacent end of the other vehicle prior to movement of the sealing elements carried in the one end of the hollow cylindrical members into sealing relation one with the other to protect said plurality of contact elements carried in the one end of each of said hollow cylindrical members from exposure to contaminants.
 11. A multiple-contact unit comprising: a. a plurality of contact elements one end of each of which is connected to an electrical conduit and the other end of which is movable into and out of circuit-closing relationship with the other end of a corresponding contact element of another multiple-contact unit to the one end of which corresponding contact element is connected an electrical conduit, b. biasing means for moving said plurality of contact elements in a circuit-opening direction, and c. fluid motor means operable by fluid under pressure for moving said plurality of contact elements against the yielding resistance of said biasing means into circuit-closing relationship with the corresponding contact elements of another multiple-contact unit. 